Richard Randall on Drugs

Three strikes law is worst in drug cases

Q: Your views on Three Strikes laws as applied to drug-related crimes?

A: When someone is being locked up for the rest of their life because they had some marijuana in their possession, something is very wrong. As an example, according to the
Data Analysis Unit of the California Department of Corrections, only 39.5% -- less than half -- of all third strike cases were defined as "crimes against persons." 31.1% of third strike cases were "property crimes" and another 19.3% were "drug crimes."

The failed War on Drugs continues to destroy lives when a non-violent drug user receives a third strike. Another problem with incarcerating individuals convicted of non-violent crimes is the increased demand for prison housing space.

Source: E-mail exchange with OnTheIssues.org
Oct 17, 2004

War on drugs is really war on American people

The suffering that drug misuse has brought about is deplorable; however, drug prohibition causes more harm than drugs themselves. The "War on Drugs" is in reality a war against the American people & the Bill of Rights. It is a grave threat to individual
liberty. Individuals should have the right to use drugs, whether for medical or recreational purposes, without fear of legal reprisals, but must be held legally responsible for the consequences of their actions only if they violate others' rights.

Educate and assist drug users, instead of prohibition

Social involvement by individuals is essential to address the problem of substance misuse and abuse. Popular education and assistance groups are a much better approach than prohibition, and I support the activities of private organizations as the
best way to move forward on the issue. I will work to repeal all laws establishing criminal or civil penalties for the use of drugs. Stop prosecuting accused non-violent drug offenders, and pardon those previously convicted.

Allow states to decide medical marijuana laws

Micah Moffett is a quadriplegic man in his mid-thirties. Micah's doctors are unable to find a medication that works as well as marijuana. Even though Colorado law makes medical marijuana legal Micah's doctors won't prescribe marijuana because they are
afraid of the federal DEA menace.

Last July, 152 members of the US House voted for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment, which would bar Department of Justice arrests of medical marijuana patients and providers.
The Libertarian Party of Colorado is currently working in building grassroots support for the amendment so that a majority of US representatives will vote for it this year.

"It is time to end the federal interference in state medical marijuana laws,"
said Richard Randall, Legislative Director for the Libertarian Party of Colorado. "It is time to end the immoral persecution of Micah Moffett, a man who has done nothing wrong but whose unimaginable suffering is something that we, as a society, can stop.